morse high school reuse study - bath
TRANSCRIPT
Morse High School Reuse StudyPresentation: Online Workshop #2 Results
November 2020
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 2
Introduction
�Demographics and Business Development�Option 1: Housing + Fire Station�Option 2: Mixed Use�Option 3: Housing Focus�Options Comparison�The Auditorium, The Pit, and Open Spaces�Additional Questions and Comments
Online “DIY Workshop”
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Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 3Demographics and Business Development
Figure 1: If you don't live in Bath, where do you live?�Woolwich, ME (12)
�Phippsburg, ME (9)
�West Bath, ME (7)
�Arrowsic, ME (4)
�Topsham, ME (3)
�Georgetown, ME (4)
�Brunswick, ME (4)
�Harpswell, ME (2)
�Bowdoinham, ME (1)
�Bowdoin, ME (1)
�Portland, ME (1)
�China, ME (1)
�Friendship, ME (1)
�Windham, ME (1)
�Wolfeboro, NH (1)
�Pinehurst, NC (1)
�High Point, NC (1)
�Anacortes, WA (1)
�Washington DC (1)
�Lebanon, OR (1)
�Dresden, Germany (1)
�Vancouver, BC (1)
�Antarctica (1)
�Lisbon, Portugal (1)
Figure 2: Did you attend Morse High School?
Figure 3: When you attended Morse High School, were you living in an RSU1 community?
Figure 4: Do you live in Bath?
Figure 5: How long have you lived in Bath?
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Yes, I live in Bath now.
0-5 years 5-10 years 10-20 years
20-40 years
40-60 years
60-80 years
80+ years
No, but I used to live in Bath.
No, I have never lived in Bath.
0%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
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90%
249
70
38
7984
29
8 0
59
17Yes.
Yes. No.
No. No, but my kids go there now.
No, but my kids will go there in
the future.
No, but my kids graduated from
MHS.
I did not attend MHS
I am a student at MHS now.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
126
123
16
170
116
2115
47
1
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 4
No83% (270)
No19% (62)
Yes17% (56)
Yes81% (258)
Figure 6: How many square feet is your business?
Figure 7: What type of business do you have?
200sf 100sf
1000sf
900sf
935sf
800sf
750sf
2000sf
5000sf
7000sf
3000sf
1100sf
1200sf
1300
sf
500sf
1600sf
250sf
180sf 130sf
1800sf
�Retail (4)
�Real Estate (3)
�Restaurant (3)
�Consulting (3)
�Brewery (3)
�Hair Salon (3)
�Food Processing (2)
�Entertainment Production (2)
�Bakery (2)
�Non-profit (2)
�Carpentry (1)
�Psychological Services (1)
�Tires/Gas (1)
�Church (1)
�Architecture (1)
�Warehouse and Distribution (1)
�Light Manufacturing (1)
�Marina (1)
�Construction (1)
�Bed and Breakfast (1)
�Digital Imaging Service (1)
�IT (1)
�Jewelry Design (1)
�Social Work (1)
�Health Care (1)
�Medical Billing (1)
�Dog Parlor (1)
�Cafe (1)
Figure 8: Would you consider relocating your business to MHS?
Figure 9: Have you been inside the MHS Building?
Figure 10: Where is your business located now?�Home (13)
�Brunswick (4)
�Centre Street (4)
�Front Street (3)
�State Road (2)
�Downtown (2)
�Bowery Street (1)
�Pearl Street (1)
�The Rotary (1)
�Historical District (1)
�Old Hospital (1)
�Bath Outskirts (1)
�Phipppsburg (1)
�Edgecomb (1)
�Georgetown (1)
�Massachusetts (1)
�Portland,Bath, and NH (1)
�Washington DC (1)
�Lebanon, OR (1)
Figure 11: If MHS were redeveloped into moderately priced condominiums, would you be interested in living there?
Figure 12: Are you a small business owner?
Yes, definitely. Possibly. I'm not sure. No, I don't think so.
Definitely not.0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
29
59
36
116
86
Yes, definitely.
Possibly. I'm not sure. No, I don't think so.
Definitely not. I don't own a business.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
238
619 15
27 8
Demographics and Business Development
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 5Demographics and Business Development
Key Take-aways:�There are a wide range of business types and sizes that need space.�Remote work, co-work, live-work, and flexible work arrangements are more in-demand than ever.�There is a balance of long-term residents and newcomers with different needs.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 6
3.2average rating
40%30%20%10%0%
Highly Unesirable
Undesirable
Neutral
Desirable
Highly DesirableFigure 13: Please indicate
your preference toward option 1.
Figure 14: What do you like about option 1? Select all that apply.
The New Fire Station
The Focus on Housing
The Site Layout Other (please specify)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
132
98
56
24
26 2
57 58
26
Option 1: Housing + Fire Station
Key Take-aways:�Most desirable option.�A new fire station is favorable.�Concern about noise of fire station.�Need for senior housing.�Questions regarding fate of the existing fire station.�Raise property values (high-income housing) vs. lower property taxes (low-income housing).�Desire to strengthen Bath's tax base.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 7
Option 2: Mixed Use
2.9average rating
40%30%20%10%0%
Highly Unesirable
Undesirable
Neutral
Desirable
Highly DesirableFigure 15: Please indicate
your preference toward option 2.
Figure 16: What do you like about option 2? Select all that apply.
The Mix of Uses The Site Layout Other (please specify)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
145
34
41
4036
4661
21
Key Take-aways:�Favorable mix of uses.�Preference toward community uses over housing.�Concern over competition with downtown businesses.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 8
Option 2: Mixed Use
Preferred Hybrid: Mixed Use + Fire Station
Option 1: Housing + Fire Station
Preferred Hybrid Option
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 9
2.7average rating
40%30%20%10%0%
Highly Unesirable
Undesirable
Neutral
Desirable
Highly DesirableFigure 17: Please indicate
your preference toward option 3.
Figure 18: What do you like about option 3? Select all that apply.
The Focus on Housing
The Site Layout Other (please specify)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
102
4032
43 44 5037
21
Option 3: Housing Focus
Key Take-aways:�Controversy between high rate of subsidized housing and high rate of youth homelessness. (Need for increased tax revenue vs. need for affordable housing.)�Missing middle housing.�In need of smaller, market-rate units for seniors and others looking to downsize.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 10Option 3: Housing Focus
Option 3: Housing Focus 3 Schools of Thought...
Bath has too much subsidized housing which
burdens the Town's resources and tax base. The new use/s should generate tax revenue for the town to
boost the local economy.
There is still a large youth homeless population and a high demand for affordable housing. High end condos
might attract part-time residents who don't
contribue as much to the community.
"The Missing Middle" Bath needs smaller, market-rate units for seniors who want to age in place and others
who want to downsize.
$ $$ $ $ $
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 11
Options Comparison
Figure 19: Please rank the three options in order of your preference (1 = most preferred, 3 = least preferred.)
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
0 1 2 3 4 5#1 (M
ost Preferre
d)
#2 #3 (Least Preferre
d)
48%(93)
Score: 2.23
Score: 2.06
Score: 1.70
35%(67)
18%(33)
27%(53)
36%(70)
36%(69)
25%(48)
29%(56)
47%(90)
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 12
The Auditorium
Figure 20: Please rank the following reuse options for the auditorium in order of your preference (1 = most preferred, 5 = least preferred.)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9#1 (M
ost Preferre
d)
A - Performance Space
B - Housing
C - Office Space
D - Restaurant
E - Other (please specify)
#3#2 #4 #5 (Least Preferre
d)
57%(109)
23%(41)
8%(15)14%(25)
6%(8)
Score: 4.13
Score: 3.01Score: 2.96
Score: 3.19
Score: 2.16
12%(22)
20%(36)
30%(55)23%(42)
11%(14)
18%(34)
16%(29)
24%(44)32%(58)
16%(21)
8%(16)
23%(41)
30%(55)19%(34)
18%(23)
5%(10)
19%(34)
7%(13)11%(20)
48%(60)
Key Take-aways:�Need for community meeting space.�Need for winter-friendly indoor activities/recreation.�Strong support for the arts.�Existing organization are interested in the space.�Proposed alternatives: market space; bowling alley; movie theater; dinner theater; art ehxibits; child care; recreation/fitness center; indoor park; library/archives/museum.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 13
Figure 21: Please rank the following reuse options for the Pit in order of your preference (1 = most preferred, 5 = least preferred.)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9#1 (M
ost Preferre
d)
A - Art Gallery
B - Fitness Center
C - Maker's Space
D - Other (please specify)
#3#2 #4 (Least Preferre
d)
17%(29)
47%(83)
34%(56)15%(16)
Score: 2.60
Score: 3.15
Score: 2.97
Score: 1.78
32%(52)
22%(38)
28%(45)16%(17)
37%(60)
26%(45)
33%(54)8%(9)
13%(21)
5%(9)
5%(8)
60%(64)
The Pit
Key Take-aways:�Strong support for a maker's space.�There are enough art galleries downtown, no need for another.�YMCA sufficiently meets town fitness and recreation needs vs. the Y is not sufficient and more affordable indoor fitness options are needed.�Best use for the Pit and Auditorium depends on other uses chosen for the building.�"Gut it" vs. "Save the Pit" (majority want to save).
�Proposed alternatives: Fitness/Recreation (keep wrestling, basketball); Rock Gym; yoga/dance studio; laundry room; market space/retail; offices/workshops; community gardening center; bowling alley; movie theater; child care; brewery; concert venue.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 14
Figure 22: Please rank your priorities for the site design (1 = most preferred, 6 = least preferred.)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9#1 (M
ost Preferre
d)
A - Parking
B - Lighting
C - Seating
D - Planting
E - Preservation of Existing Trees
E - Other (please specify)
#3#2 #4 #5 #6 (Least
P
referred)
31%(54)
5%(8)
2%(4)
27%(47)
36%(63)
5%(5)
Score: 3.94
Score: 3.55
Score: 3.41
Score: 4.61
Score: 4.37
Score: 1.65
12%(20)
20%(33)
34%(56)16%(29)
16%(28)
4%(4)
13%(22)
21%(35)
14%(23)36%(34)
17%30)
1%(1)
16%(28)
31%(51)
25%(41)13%(23)
10%(17)
3%(3)
18%(31)
10%(17)
21%(34)
1%(2)
21%(34)
4%(6)
6%(11)
1%(2)
17%(30)
3%(5)
17%(17)
69%(69)
Open Space
Key Take-aways:�Must balance need for parking with need for open space. �Strong desire for intergenerational play spaces (children's playground; cornhole; bocce; horseshoe pits; etc.)�Strong desire for community gardens, return of agriculture to Bath.�Emphasis on walking and biking access/network.�Important to preserve existing trees, especially those planted in honor of former MHS students.�Lighting: safety concern (pro-lights) vs. ecological concern (anti-lights).
�Proposed alternatives: Art/sculptures; fountains/splash pad; ampitheater; outdoor dining; green infrastructure (rain gardens and pollinator habitat), dog park.
Morse High School Reuse Study | Online Workshop #2 Results | 15Additional Questions and Comments
�Who makes the decisions?�What are the implications for taxes?�What is the project timline?�Will there be opportunities for in-person comment?�What type of housing is being proposed?�Why isn't full demolition and re-building new being considered?
I would personally love to have there be a maker space in the
local area as I could meet & work with others who are creative and
entrepreneurial. In addition, it would help to make Bath more innovative.
Bath needs a fresh,
young, lively place for teens and adults alike to
share in and enjoy our community.